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Breaking Record High Temperatures, A White Christmas Unlikely In Providence

Published Tue Dec 15 2015 20:07:26 GMT+0000 (UTC)

High temperatures in Providence broke several records over the last two days, and meteorologists say White Christmas is exceedingly unlikely. Around 11...

by John Bender

High temperatures in Providence broke several records over the last two days, and meteorologists say White Christmas is exceedingly unlikely.

Around 11 p.m. Monday night, the mercury hit 61 degrees to beat out a record for that date of 59 degrees set in 1991.

Just a few hours later, at 4 a.m. Tuesday morning, temperatures climbed even higher, reaching 64 degrees. That was two degrees warmer than the record. It was even warmer than the same early morning hour this past July 4th.

National Weather Service meteorologist Rebecca Gould says the average high in Providence for December is 43 degrees, but this year, already a dozen days have seen temperatures above fifty.

“That’s extraordinarily warm,” said Gould. “Right now, if the month were to end today, we’d have the warmest December on record.”

Providence was abuzz with seasonal activities you might expect in mid-December. Think holiday shopping, Christmas music, and ice skating. But unlike a typical day this close to the winter solstice, the skies were clear, and temperatures climbed above 60 degrees. At the downtown ice rink, Barrington resident Deb Sullivan and her son John were not complaining.

“It makes me happy,” said Sullivan. “It’s December. And it’s sunny and warm. And the kids have a day off of school which is nice. So we thought it would be a fun opportunity to take them skating. It’s a little slushy out there. That’s why I’m on the sidelines. I fall too much.”

Gould says temperatures are likely to stay warmer than usual throughout the month. That doesn’t mean there won’t be any snow this winter; just don’t count on a white Christmas.

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Don't expect any snowy scence in downtown Providence before the holidays,